Scouting

[jallen]

What specific things should I look for this time of year. Will be mostly in hardwoods, but some pines and near some fields. Is it a good idea to set up on the edge of a field and hunt right over where you are pretty sure deer are coming out. I cant find another tree to get in with my climber?

[kahuna]

The short and over simplified answer to the poll question is.....yes. I look for all of these, and more. When I go into the woods, for whatever reason, I try to be as observant as I can. I try to take in everything, just to get the most of the outing as I can.

[JerseyHunter]

Hey i look for scrapes rubs and try to determine what way the deer are moving.

[marty]

I look for trails first. Then I look for sign along the trails. Depending on where along the trail you find the sign and what kind of sign it is can tell you which way the deer was moving and relative time frame when the deer went through(ie..morning or evening) You'll find the bedding area's at one end of the trail system and the feeding area's at the other ends. And, in some cases you can find circular routes that the deer trails make hitting several different food sources.

The hottest setup I ever found was a trail system between two creeks in an oak grove that was close to some thick cover. On the north side of the oak grove, approx. 1/4 mile to the north, was a dirt road where hunters would park and walk in to the woods to hunt. I always came in from the south side and setup between the thick stuff and the edge of the oak grove between the creeks. It was a natural funnel with drivers on the other end. I limited out on nice bucks every year I hunted that setup.

[Webejonesin2]

I look evrything and anything. due to sometmies it's seems to be the lttle things that turn out to be most helpfull.

[4Pointer]

webejonesin2 said:

I look evrything and anything. due to sometmies it's seems to be the lttle things that turn out to be most helpfull.

How True

[IndianaHunter]

You really need a vote for all of the above as many play into a single place to hunt... At least in my woods...

[Phishy]

all of the above, but one more not listed, fresh droppings, without them , deer aren;t using the area, this lesson has been driven into me once again this year, fresh sign and repeated. not just this years, but this weeks, or even better yesterdays.